Consequences of population structure on genes under balancing selection

This paper describes a new approach to modeling population structure for genes under strong balancing selection of the type seen in plant self-incompatibility systems and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) system of vertebrates. Simple analytic solutions for the number of alleles maintained at equilibrium and the expected proportion of alleles shared between demes at various levels are derived and checked against simulation results. The theory accurately captures the dynamics of allele number in a subdivided population and identifies important values of m (migration rate) at which allele number and distribution change qualitatively. Starting from a panmictic population, as migration among demes decreases a qualitative change in dynamics is seen at approximately m(crit) approximately equal to the square root of(s/4piNT) where NT is the total population size and s is a measure of the strength of selection. At this point, demes can no longer maintain their panmictic allele number, due to increasing isolation from the total population. Another qualitative change occurs at a migration rate on the same order of magnitude as the mutation rate, mu. At this point, the demes are highly differentiated for allele complement, and the total number of alleles in the population is increased. Because in general u < m<(crit) at intermediate migration rates slightly fewer alleles may be maintained in the total population than are maintained at panmixia. Within this range, total allele number may not be the best indicator of whether a population is effectively panmictic, and some caution should be used when interpreting samples from such populations. The theory presented here can help to analyze data from genes under balancing selection in subdivided populations.     

Some alternatives to asymptotic tests for the analysis of pharmacogenetic data using nonlinear mixed effects models

Nonlinear mixed effects models allow investigating individual differences in drug concentration profiles (pharmacokinetics) and responses. Pharmacogenetics focuses on the genetic component of this variability. Two tests often used to detect a gene effect on a pharmacokinetic parameter are (1) the Wald test, assessing whether estimates for the gene effect are significantly different from 0 and (2) the likelihood ratio test comparing models with and without the genetic effect. Because those asymptotic tests show inflated type I error on small sample size and/or with unevenly distributed genotypes, we develop two alternatives and evaluate them by means of a simulation study. First, we assess the performance of the permutation test using the Wald and the likelihood ratio statistics. Second, for the Wald test we propose the use of the F-distribution with four different values for the denominator degrees of freedom. We also explore the influence of the estimation algorithm using both the first-order conditional estimation with interaction linearization-based algorithm and the stochastic approximation expectation maximization algorithm. We apply these methods to the analysis of the pharmacogenetics of indinavir in HIV patients recruited in the COPHAR2-ANRS 111 trial. Results of the simulation study show that the permutation test seems appropriate but at the cost of an additional computational burden. One of the four F-distribution-based approaches provides a correct type I error estimate for the Wald test and should be further investigated.     

A Modification of the Edgeworth Approximation in the AR (1) Model

This paper considers the sampling distribution problem of the least squares estimator for the parameter of some special autoregressive models. The Edgeworth approximation has been derived and a modification is proposed to improve its accuracy. Comparisons with the exact distribution and the so called Edgeworth-B approximation have been discussed. The results show that the proposed approximation performs more accurately than the Edgeworth-B approximation, especially, when models are close to the non-stationary boundary.     

米仓山自然保护区水青冈属(Fagus)资源调查报告

使用常规野外种群调查方法调查了米仓山自然保护区中水青冈属(Fagus)林木资源贮量。结果表明保护区有水青冈属分布的林分面积达7 064.8 hm2,占保护区有林地面积40%多;水青冈属活立木总蓄积814 600 m3,是国内目前水青冈属植物保存面积最大的地区。保护区中现有水青冈(F.longipetiolata),亮叶水青冈(F.lucida),台湾水青冈(F.hayatae),米心水青冈(F.engleriana)4个种,而在这4种水青冈属植物中,又以台湾水青冈的发现最为重要,有台湾水青冈分布的林分面积达5 923.3 hm2,以台湾水青冈为优势的林分面积2 511 hm2,台湾水青冈活立木蓄积317 000 m3。     

五个中国荞麦(Fagopyrum)种的核型分析

用去壁低渗法对甜荞 ( Fagopyrum esculentum)、苦荞 ( F.tataricum)、左贡野荞 ( F.zuogongense Q.F.Chen) ,大野荞 ( F.megaspartanium Q.F.Chen)及毛野荞 ( F.pilus Q.F.Chen)等大粒组荞麦种的根尖和茎尖有丝分裂染色体进行了观察 ,并对其茎尖有丝分裂染色体的核型进行了比较分析。结果表明 :这 5种荞麦在核型上类似 ,都有 2对随体染色体 ,而且都为对称核型。但它们彼此有一定的差异。甜荞、苦荞、大野荞、毛野荞及左贡野荞的核型公式分别为 1 2 m+4m( SAT)、1 2 m+4sm( SAT)、8m+4sm+4m( SAT)、1 2 m+2 m( SAT) +2 sm( SAT)及 2 4 m+4sm+4m( SAT)。     

Suppression of ρ 0 lethality by mitochondrial ATP synthase F1 mutations in Kluyveromyces lactis occurs in the absence of F0

Specific mgi mutations in the α, β or γ subunits of the mitochondrial F₁-ATPase have previously been found to suppress ρ⁰ lethality in the petite-negative yeast Kluyveromyces lactis. To determine whether the suppressive activity of the altered F₁ is dependent on the F₀ sector of ATP synthase, we isolated and disrupted the genes KlATP4, 5 and 7, the three nuclear genes encoding subunits b, OSCP and d. Strains disrupted for any one, or all three of these genes are respiration deficient and have reduced viability. However a strain devoid of the three nuclear genes is still unable to lose mitochondrial DNA, whereas a mgi mutant with the three genes inactivated remains petite-positive. In the latter case, ρ⁰ mutants can be isolated, upon treatment with ethidium bromide, that lack six major F₀ subunits, namely the nucleus-encoded subunits b, OSCP and d, and the mitochondrially encoded Atp6, 8 and 9p. Production of ρ⁰ mutants indicates that an F₁-complex carrying a mgi mutation can assemble in the absence of F₀ subunits and that suppression of ρ⁰ lethality is an intrinsic property of the altered F₁ particle. Received: 7 April 1998 / Accepted: 10 June 1998     

Characterization of the laser-induced blue, green and red fluorescence signatures of leaves of wheat and soybean grown under different irradiance

The blue, green and red fluorescence emission of green wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. var. Rector) and soybean leaves ( Glycine max L. var. Maple Arrow) as induced by UV light (nitrogen laser: 337 nm) was determined in a phytochamber and in plants grown in the field. The fluorescence emission spectra show a blue maximum near 450 nm, a green shoulder near 530 nm and the two red chlorophyll fluorescence maxima near 690 and 735 nm. The ratio of blue to red fluorescence, F450/F690, exhibited a clear correlation to the irradiance applied during the growth of the plants. In contrast, the chlorophyll fluorescence ratio, F690/F735, and the ratio of blue to green fluorescence, F450/F530, seem not to be or are only slightly influenced by the irradiance applied during plant growth. The blue fluorescence F450 only slightly decreased, whereas the red chlorophyll fluorescence decreased with increasing irradiance applied during growth of the plants. This, in turn, resulted in greatly increased values of the ratio, F450/F690, from 0.5 – 1.5 to 6.4 – 8.0. The decrease in the chlorophyll fluorescence with increasing irradiance seems to be caused by the accumulation of UV light absorbing substances in the epidermal layer which considerably reduces the UV laser light which passes through the epidermis and excites the chlorophyll fluorescence of the chloroplasts in the subepidermal mesophyll cells.     

Distribution and pollution evaluation of fluoride in a soil–water–plant system in Shihezi,Xinjiang, China

Fluoride (F) pollution is a serious environmental problem in some areas of China, but it has yet to be reported in a soil–water–plant system in Shihezi, Xinjiang. This study was undertaken to investigate the distribution and migration rule of F in soil, water, and plants, and to evaluate F pollution of soil. Results showed that the average concentration of total F (T-F) in the topsoil in the northwest, north, and southeast of Shihezi was higher than the national average T-F (478 mg/kg), while it was lower in southwest. The highest T-F contents of the soil profile were detected in the depth of 20 cm. The F content in groundwater in the northwest region was higher than the GB/T 14848–93 (1.0 mg/L), whereas the F contents in other water samples were within the standard. The F contents (1.75?2.81 mg/kg) in plant leaves were higher than the food limits (1.0 mg/kg). The obtained comprehensive pollution index of the soil was 1.86, which means a mild concentration of F in Shihezi. This research has reference value for the study of F pollution and comprehensive control in the northwest oasis with the typical arid and saline conditions.     

A Karyological Study on Fritillaria from Xinjiang

Fritillary is a precious Chinese medicinal herb. Those native to Xinjiang Northwest China, are even more distinguished from other sources for their purity and effectiveness. Fritillaria in Xinjiang comprises 8 native species and one (F. thunbergii Miq.) introduced from Zhejiang, East China. In this paper the authors describe the karyotypes of 6 species native to Xinjiang and F. thunbergii Miq., of which five, i.e.F. olgae Vved., F. walujewii Regel, F. yuminensis X. Z. Duan, F. karelinii (Fisch.) Baker and F. thunbergii Miq. were studied for the first time. Detail observation and measurment of chromosomes in each of them were made. The data obtained may be summarized as follows: scietific name karyotype formula (2n=) F. pallidiflora Schrenk 2m + 2sm + 6st + 14t F. olgae Vved. 4m + 6st + 14t F. walujewii Regel 2m + 2sm + 8st+ 12t F. yuminensis X. Z. Duan 4m + 8st + 12t F. verticillata Willd 4m + 8st + 12t F. karelinii (Fisch.) Baker 4m + 4sm + 4st + 12t F. thunbergii Miq. 2m + 2sm + 4st + 16t The karyotype of the native species are, on the whole, similar to each other except that of F. karelinii (Fisch.) Baker, a species inhabiting desert areas. The number of m-sm chromosomes has increased from 2 to 4 and the number of st-t chromosomes decreased correspondently. So is the karyotype of F. thunbergii Miq. which is noted for its high ratio of long chromosome/short chromosome and the more t-chromosomes. These two peculiar karyotypes coincide amazingly with their specific natural habitats.     

生境破坏的空间结构对集合种群续存的影响

生境破坏及其影响是生态学亟待解决的问题之一,目前的研究主要集中在破坏数量,即遭破坏生境的比例,对物种续存的影响方面;其中最主要的结论是Levins原理和适合生境斑块最小数量(MASH),而关于生境破坏的空间结构的研究却比较稀少,在本文中,我们首先将偶对近似引入到集合种群的研究当中,并替代原有的均匀场假设.然后我们对生境破坏导致的集合种群大小、空间结构以及分布等做了全面讨论.结果显示:随破坏比例的增加,集合种群大小将下降并且其分布将远离破坏生境.进一步聚集式分布结构将瓦解.随着破坏规则化的下降,集合种群将萎缩并使其聚集结构崩溃,在破坏生境周围集合种群起初将增加然后迅速消失.根据这些结果,我们可以对边界效应进行分析:不能用破坏比例描述生境破坏的程度和影响,而只能用破坏区域边界的长短来描述.根据边界效应,我们可以得出在一连通生境上物种保护的条件是生境破坏后剩余的适合生境比例应该大于破坏前原始生境的一半.居住在斑块环境中的物种比连续生境中生存的物种可以更好地抵抗生境破坏带来的影响.     

秦岭产珠子参叶的达玛烷型皂甙研究(1)

从陕西省秦岭产珠子参(Panax japonicus C.A.Meyer var.major(Burk.)Wu etFeng)的叶中分离到十个新的达玛烷型四环三萜皂甙,经光谱测定和化学降解,其中四个的化学结构分别为珠子参甙(majoroside)F_1(1)、F_2(2)、F_3(3)和F_4(4)。同时,还分离到已知的人参甙(ginsenoside)Rd(5)、Re(6)、Rg_1(7)、Rg_2(8)和F_2(9)。     

中国大鲵子二代适应能力及生长优势的研究

2002年成功孵化出大鲵子二代1260尾,经过8个月生长,随机抽取172尾全长13～15 cm、体重25～35 g子二代与172尾全长14～16.5 cm、体重30～40 g野生代进行环境适应能力和生长速度的对比试验.结果表明,子二代在耐高温、耐低氧、耐不良水质、耐盐度、耐酸碱性、耐苦味饵料方面比野生代有明显优势,说明子二代适应能力更强,易于饲养.从生长优势方面,表现出大鲵子二代生长速度快,生长指标为4.4928,而野生代生长指标为3.4714.     

杂交鳢(斑鳢 ♀ ×乌鳢 ♂ )及其自交后代细胞核型初步分析

对杂交鳢(斑鳢♀×乌鳢♂)(Channa maculata ♀×C.argus ♂)及其自交后代的细胞核型进行了初步分析.结果表明,杂交鳢染色体数目为2n=45,核型公式为3m+4sm+6st+32t,染色体臂数(NF)为52;杂交鳢自繁后代群体存在两种染色体核型,一是染色体数目为45,核型公式为3m+4sm+6st+...     

空间异质性对植物种群动态的影响:三种模拟方法的比较

为了讨论单一物种在异质性景观中的空间传播,将平均场近似模型和偶对近似模型的结果进行对比研究.本研究选择了有代表性的四邻域和八邻域时物种的传播情况,首先运用细胞自动机建立了理想模型,对偶对近似模型和平均场近似模型在全局密度和局域密度固定时随着出生率与死亡率比值变化的结果比较,以细胞自动机模型结果为依据,判断偶对近似与平均场近似哪个结果更加接近细胞自动机模型的结果.通过分析得到四邻域时在近似细胞自动机模型结果时偶对近似的结果优于平均场近似的结果,但是在八邻域时三个模型之间的差异性不再那么明显,偶对近似依然能够很好的预测细胞自动机模型的结果.     

An approach to inverse scattering problems

There are several reasons for investigating the inverse scattering problem in medical image processing. A typical case, that of ultrasonic fields, is considered. Assuming that a plane wave illuminates a weakly inhomogeneous two-dimensional object, the fundamental equation is derived for the scattered waves in integral as well as in differential forms. It is shown that the scattered waves observed on a circle surrounding the object is sufficient to specify the structure of the object. This information is summarized in a single term, which is a function of the wavenumber as well as the angles of incidence and observation. A successive approximation is applied to reconstruct the image of the object from this function. Since no analytic solution is available, several methods of approximations are proposed, and examples of computations are shown for the case of a cylindrical object.     

The total quasi-steady-state approximation is valid for reversible enzyme kinetics

The Briggs-Haldane approximation of the irreversible Michaelis-Menten scheme of enzyme kinetics is cited in virtually every biochemistry textbook and is widely considered the classic example of a quasi-steady-state approximation. Though of similar importance, the reversible Michaelis-Menten scheme is not as well characterized. This is a serious limitation since even enzymatic reactions that go to completion may be reversible. The current work derives a total quasi-steady-state approximation (tQSSA) for the reversible Michaelis-Menten and delineates its validity domain. The tQSSA allows the derivation of uniformly valid approximations for the limit of low enzyme concentrations, ET相似文献   

Further approximations for selection intensity

Three new approximations are suggested for the standardized selection intensity, i. Two are simple functions of powers of b, the fraction selected. These improve on previous approximations by covering a broader range of selection intensities. A third approximation is developed using a rational polynomial. This gave accurate approximation, but simplicity was lost.Communicated by E. J. Eisen     

穿鞘菝葜的化学成分

从穿鞘菝葜(Smilax perfoliata Lour.)的95%乙醇提取物的乙酸乙酯萃取部分分离得到6个化合物,其中有一个新化合物smilglaside F(1).经过核磁共振、质谱、红外光谱及化学手段鉴定了它们的结构.5个已知化合物分别是:芦丁(2)、3′-甲醚芦丁(3)、cassiamin A(4)、cassiamin B(5)和1,2,3-trimethoxy-5-hydroxyphenol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(6).其中化合物2、4～6是首次从该属植物分离得到.